Magnolia escapes Phoenix to advance to PBA Comm's Cup semis

The Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok advanced to the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals after escaping the Phoenix Fuel Masters Super LPG, 102-95, on Friday in the quarterfinals at the PhilSports Arena.

The teams were tied at 86 with 5:53 left in the fourth period before the Hotshots made an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead, 94-86, at the 3:26 mark. The lead eventually gave Magnolia enough breathing room to survive the pesky Fuel Masters.

Calvin Abueva listed 19 points while import Nicholas Rakocevic tallied 18 points and 13 rebounds. Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Adrian Wong had 16, 15, and 11 points, respectively,

Tyler Tio led with 18 points, while Kaleb Wesson flirted with a triple-double performance of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Encho Serrano added 16 points of his own, while Javee Mocon and Jason Perkins added 12 points each.

Magnolia, who had the playoff bonus, will face the winner of the series between Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort Batang Pier.

The scores:

Magnolia 102 – Abueva 19, Rakocevic 18, Barroca 16, Lee 15, Wong 11, Jalalon 8, Sangalang 6, Dionisio 4, Dela Rosa 3, Corpuz 2, Ahanmisi 0.

Phoenix 95 – Tio 18, Serrano 16, Wesson 16, Mocon 12, Perkins 12, Anthony 6, Manganti 5, Pascual 4, Rios 4, Lojera 2, Adamos 0.

Quarters: 28-26, 50-46, 76-74, 102-95.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News